Immigration Department Arrests 24 in Anti-Illegal Worker Operations Across Hong Kong

36 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations including joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion", a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department codenamed "Flabbergast" and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Customs from February 6 to yesterday (February 15). A total of 24 suspected illegal workers, nine suspected employers and three suspected aiders and abettors were arrested.

During the anti-illegal worker operations at various Lunar New Year fairs, ImmD officers raided multiple stalls at the events. Twelve suspected illegal workers and six suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four men and eight women, aged 18 to 52. They were found selling goods at the stalls. Two men and four women, aged 33 to 49, were suspected of employing the illegal workers. Apart from mounting enforcement operations, ImmD deployed a promotional vehicle and ImmD officers to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message to Chinese New Year fair stall owners and other retailers across the territory.

During other anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, retail stores and garages etc. Twelve suspected illegal workers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised three men and nine women, aged 20 to 54. Among them, two men and two women were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment, with one woman also being suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. The arrested suspected illegal workers were found performing dishwashing, garage mechanic and goods loading duties. Two men and one woman, aged 35 to 65, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. Furthermore, the suspected aiders and abettors arrested were three men aged 42 to 45. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or a identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

The Immigration Department mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations from February 6 to yesterday (February 15). Photo shows the department's promotional vehicle broadcasting the message of "Employing Illegal Workers is an Offence". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Immigration Department mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations from February 6 to yesterday (February 15). Photo shows Immigration Task Force officers distributing "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets to retailer. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Immigration Department mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations from February 6 to yesterday (February 15). Photo shows Immigration Task Force officers distributing "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets to Chinese New Year fair stall owner. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Immigration Department mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations from February 6 to yesterday (February 15). Photo shows suspected illegal workers arrested during an operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Microbiology Division of DH CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch designated by WHO as Collaborating Centre on Quality and Capacity Building for Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, hosts two international expert meetings

The Microbiology Division of the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB), which is under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Centre on Quality and Capacity Building for the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). This is the second WHO Collaborating Centre in China to combat influenza. The WHO representative formally presented the designation letter to the DH in Hong Kong today (June 8), and proceeded with two working group meetings attended by international experts for surveillance, preparedness, prevention and control of influenza, to be held over five days from today (June 8) until this Friday (June 12). The DH is hosting both meetings, with the Head of the PHLSB chairing the first meeting on molecular technologies on detecting existing and emerging influenza and other respiratory viruses of public health significance, testifying to the international role of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in the area of global respiratory threat management.

WHO GISRS Collaborating Centre

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The GISRS is a global platform established by the WHO for the surveillance, prevention and control of influenza. It co-ordinates the public health responses against influenza and other infections caused by respiratory pathogens. As a WHO GISRS Collaborating Centre, the Microbiology Division of the PHLSB is tasked with supporting global influenza laboratories in enhancing their quality and capacity.

The Microbiology Division of the PHLSB provides laboratory diagnostic services for disease surveillance and control, health promotion and disease prevention. It has maintained close collaboration with the WHO for many years and was designated by the WHO as a National Influenza Centre and an Influenza A H5 Reference Laboratory in 1963 and 2004 respectively. Since 2007, the Microbiology Division has also supported the WHO in organising an External Quality Assessment Programme for GISRS to ascertain the standards of laboratories worldwide and to ensure adequate testing capacity to support global effort in influenza prevention and control.

The Head of Global Respiratory Threats of the WHO, Dr Zhang Wenqing, was present at the Public Health Laboratory Centre today to officiate at the ceremony to present the letter of designation to the DH.

Dr Zhang said that the DH has been an important partner of the GISRS for decades, in particular on supporting influenza laboratories worldwide to enhance their quality and capacity for nearly 20 years, playing a crucial role in the WHO's mission on influenza surveillance, preparedness, prevention and control efforts. The DH's professional expertise, rigorous quality management system and broad experience contribute to the global influenza surveillance system, consolidating international efforts to combat influenza more effectively.

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, expressed gratitude for the WHO's confidence and trust. He emphasised that the DH will continue to uphold its professionalism, safeguarding public health in Hong Kong and globally by maintaining high-quality standards.

Dr Lam said, "Staff of the PHLSB under the CHP have consistently fulfilled their role with dedication, demonstrating professionalism, high efficiency, and a strong sense of responsibility. They have steadfastly safeguarded the health of all Hong Kong citizens, particularly during major public health events, when they provided testing services selflessly and against all odds. Their efforts have provided necessary scientific information, underpinning epidemiological investigations and outbreak control, thereby preventing the community spread of infections. In addition to safeguarding the health of Hong Kong citizens, the PHLSB has also been actively participating in the WHO's laboratory networks for other communicable diseases. The designation by the WHO as Collaborating Centre on Quality and Capacity Building for the GISRS fully demonstrates that Hong Kong's public health laboratory is on par with international standards. Going forward, the DH will continue to collaborate with the WHO and its member states to actively participate in national health governance, and to leverage Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' under the 'one country, two systems' principle, in order to serve the broader interests of national health and medical development and to act as a vital link between the Chinese Mainland and international health partners."

WHO influenza expert working group meetings

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Starting from today, the WHO is convening two successive international expert working group meetings on influenza in Hong Kong, China, bringing together influenza experts from around the world to discuss laboratory testing, and prevention and control of influenza. The meetings are conducted in hybrid format with in-person and virtual participation. The two working group meetings are the 16th Meeting of the WHO Working Group for the Molecular Detection and Subtyping of Influenza Viruses and the use of Next Generation Sequencing in the GISRS, which focuses on the application and optimisation of molecular techniques for detection and sequencing of influenza viruses; and the 15th Meeting of the WHO Working Group on Surveillance of Antiviral Susceptibility of Influenza Viruses for the GISRS, which will address core issues such as antiviral treatment for influenza and surveillance of antiviral susceptibility.

The Microbiology Division of the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, which is under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH), has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Centre on Quality and Capacity Building for the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. This is the second WHO Collaborating Centre in China to combat influenza. The WHO representative formally presented the designation letter to the DH in Hong Kong today (June 8). Photo shows the Head of Global Respiratory Threats of the WHO, Dr Zhang Wenqing (right), with the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (left), after presenting the letter of designation to the DH. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Microbiology Division of the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, which is under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH), has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Centre on Quality and Capacity Building for the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. This is the second WHO Collaborating Centre in China to combat influenza. The WHO representative formally presented the designation letter to the DH in Hong Kong today (June 8). Photo shows the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, addressing the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Microbiology Division of the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB), which is under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Centre on Quality and Capacity Building for the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. This is the second WHO Collaborating Centre in China to combat influenza. The WHO representative formally presented the designation letter to the DH in Hong Kong today (June 8) and proceeded with two working group meetings attended by international experts for surveillance, preparedness, prevention and control of influenza. Photo shows the Head of the PHLSB under the CHP, Dr Janice Lo (first right), chairing the first meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Microbiology Division of the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB), which is under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Centre on Quality and Capacity Building for the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. This is the second WHO Collaborating Centre in China to combat influenza. The WHO representative formally presented the designation letter to the DH in Hong Kong today (June 8). Photo shows the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (third left); the Head of Global Respiratory Threats of the WHO, Dr Zhang Wenqing (third right); the Controller of the CHP of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui (second left); the Head of the PHLSB under the CHP, Dr Janice Lo (first left); and members of the Global Influenza Programme of the WHO Dr Dmitriy Pereyaslov (second right) and Dr Magdi Samaan (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases